Crisis Member Ambassador Story

20.06.20171313XX

‘Following a split from my partner, I suffered from mental health difficulties and became unemployed. I ended up living temporarily with a friend and when this didn’t work out I became homeless. I was placed in a hostel and stayed there for ten months. I found life in the hostel difficult and not conducive at all for my depression. I was introduced to Donna, a Work and Learning Coach at Crisis, in December 2015. I found her approachable, but she also gave me the encouragement that I needed to get started again. I was scared to look for work as I hadn’t worked for a number of years. I did various courses, starting with the Construction Site Certificate Scheme, which gave me the qualification to work on a building site. It got me out of the hostel and gave me something to do. My self-confidence and self-esteem improved and it was great for my mental health. I started volunteering for Crisis in Cookery classes, and then with Gary in the workshop, helping members to learn Plastering and Tiling and I was one of the few fortunate people to be offered a brand new property and moved in in August 2016. I now feel ready for and am seeking employment.’